Category Archives: Tips

This is the final note for this academic year, and it’s an odd one because it has to do with a single word. That said, the odd Language Note has of course been lexical. The word is “odd.” “Canada sent … Continue reading →

This is a follow-up to last week’s Note. If you are talking about the European Union, say, “European Union.” “Slovenia is in Europe” is obvious. “Switzerland is not in Europe” is a bizarre statement. “Croatia is going to Europe” is … Continue reading →

As I have already mentioned in many of my classes and in Writing Short Literature Essays, you want each paragraph of your essay to look forward. Let’s try that again. As mentioned in Writing Short Literature Essays, you want… When … Continue reading →

Colons cause problems. In 101 English Tips, I wrote: a) a colon “shouts out that an example or summary is about to follow.” b) “Another colon tip: when continuing to write after a colon in your sentence, it is often … Continue reading →

Two short and simple ones this week: 1) 1970s. Not: a) 1970ies (wrong) b) 1970’s (wrong; what can a decade own?) c) in the 70s of the previous decade (too long) d) 70s (fine if the WHEN is clear. In … Continue reading →

“Just” is a useful and slippery term. It can be an intensifier (“Just stop it!”) or a synonym for “fair-minded” (“He’s a just man, but a pain to deal with”). “Just” can often sound dismissive – as in “It was … Continue reading →

The first sentence is crucial for setting the tone (see “Reminder” at http://www2.arnes.si/~bjason/LNW.pdf). Consider the tone set by these first sentences from real (but slightly changed) motivation letters: 1) “I would like take a chance and participate in study program … Continue reading →

Two short ones: 1) “This is because the 13th-century Italy was unusual.” Nope. “This is because 13th-century Italy was unusual.” Drop the definite article when you use AS A NOUN PHRASE “13th-century Italy” or “19th-century France” or “x-th-century whatever.” 2) … Continue reading →

1) You may blithely pile up adverbs when describing an action: “My sister scampered slowly, clumsily, hungrily, ridiculously towards the cookie jar.” That example is clear, fine and mean. Here, the two -ly adverbs are dissonant and mildly confusing: “Hemingway’s … Continue reading →

Some sneaky adjectives look like they should be adverbs because they end in -ly. “We piled our dishes DISORDERLY” is wrong. “She passed him a cup of tea MOTHERLY” is equally wrong. There are a few solutions here: 1) opt … Continue reading →